Summary

The first findings of drosophilids from Desertas and Porto Santo islands (Madeira archipelago) are reported and the knowledge on the abundance and distribution of the endemic Drosophila madeirensis Monclús is updated. This Madeiran endemic was found associated with forest habitats, but was not exclusive of Laurisilva. Furthermore, the finding of widespread populations with moderate abundance indicates that presently this species is not endangered. Finally, we provide an updated checklist of the family Drosophilidae occurring in the Madeira archipelago.